BANGOR — Friday, Bangor officially closed the city’s largest homeless encampment near Texas Avenue and Cleveland Street known as Camp Hope or Tent City.
Many have already moved out, but a few unhoused individuals were still on the property as of Friday morning.
Spectrum News spoke with two-year camp resident Heidi Fox, who said she still doesn't know where she’s going, but she has some options thanks to the city.
“I just found out that I can either get an apartment or I can go back to Louisiana. The city of Bangor got me a bus ticket home. Or I’ve got a voucher waiting for me at the Hope House. I’m not really sure what I’m going to do yet,” said Fox.
Fox said she now appreciates the effort the city has put into assisting camp residents.
“I think that their desire to clean the place up is admirable and the lengths that they’re going to make sure the people here are helped are outstanding,” said Fox. “[On Thursday,] I had a really low opinion. I’ve been here for a long time, and I didn’t feel like I was getting the help I needed. But they pulled through and I know it’s last minute but it’s better than nothing. It just shows they’re not going to quit until they get everybody here where they need to be.”
The closure was originally planned for the end of last year before being delayed.
According to the city, Bangor has collaborated with service providers to help identify exit plans for the remaining people in the camp, and they plan to release a report detailing the progress residents have made in the coming weeks.
A statement from the city reads: “We continue to be committed to ensuring the individuals who remain in the encampment have opportunities to access safe landing spots as they continue to work toward permanent housing and make progress toward their goals as they exit the encampment. We will be sharing in the coming weeks a full breakdown of the progress folks have made since the encampment closure was announced in October, and a full after-action report will be released.”
The city also said — of the remaining people in the camp — two have gotten leases and are waiting to move in and another individual will be utilizing a bed at a shelter. For others, exit plans involve accessing treatment centers, emergency shelters or warming centers, while some have pending housing applications.
A city representative could be seen speaking with residents Friday but declined an interview.
Although she’s found a way to leave the camp, Fox said she wants people to understand that finding a place to stay is only part of the battle.
“I think there’s a stigma that comes with being homeless. People assume you’re a junkie, assume you’re a drug addict, they assume you’re not doing anything for yourself whatsoever. That’s not always the case. A lot of the people that are here have really bad medical issues,” said Fox.
Fox said she’s seen others struggle to deal with their conditions while living in the camp.
“There’s a lady in an electric wheelchair with spina bifida or something and she’s also a diabetic. There’s a type one diabetic out here that lost his toes here two years ago. And, you know, there are a lot of people here that are indeed addicted to drugs, but we’re all just trying to make it like everyone else,” said Fox. “Sometimes it’s not really clear what brings people to homelessness, but you know, judge not lest ye be judged.”
Now that the camp is closed, Fox said she’s looking forward to moving on.
“I feel hopeful,” she said. “It’s in the name, right? Camp Hope.”
